Henrietta 'Mi Mi' Hamlet, 100

Henrietta Elizabeth Dietz Hamlet, of Coeur d'Alene, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011, at her home at Sylvan House in Hayden. She was born Dec. 10, 1910, in Spokane, Wash., to Henry and Mary Jane (Walker) Dietz.

She was baptized at St. Paul's Methodist Episcopalian Church and attended school at Emerson and North Central in Spokane. After graduation, she worked at Wrights Department Store. In 1934 she married Wes Hamlet and they moved to Libby, Mont., for a year. They settled in Coeur d'Alene where she and Wes started the A & H Market.

They had three daughters, Barbara in 1936; Betty in 1940; and Donna in 1942. They also took in three girls they helped raise who helped watch the children while she worked in the store with Wes. She was a Sunday school teacher at the Presbyterian Church, joining in 1940. She was interested in all kinds of handwork. Each Christmas she would take lap robes that she had made to the nursing home. She was a leader of both Blue Birds and Campfire Girls, was interested in Job's Daughters and served on the council of both Bethel's 7 and 42 in which her daughters were involved.

Henrietta was a member of Chapter AG P.E.O. and Ladies of the Oriental Shrine in Spokane which she was a 55-year member. She was a charter member of the KMC Hospital Auxiliary, a charter member of the Cancer 3Cs, past president of the Coeur d'Alene Nile Club and a member of the M. & W. Club.

She and Wes traveled to many places with family and groups from the Shrine Club until his death in 1983. Many summers were spent at the Lake Coeur d'Alene house entertaining family and friends. She loved getting in her inner tube and paddling down the beach visiting. She loved canning all of the fish Wes would catch and bring home. Most of all she was happiest surrounded by her family, cooking and telling stories to her grandchildren. She was an avid golfer and held offices in the clubs of the Coeur d'Alene Golf Course plus Avondale and Ponderosa. Her handwork was a precious gift to the children at the Shrine Hospital for many years. All of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren received handmade afghans they will always treasure. Her home was always open to her children's friends including a basketball hoop in the driveway before there was one in City Park. Many parties were given, plus dance lessons by her daughters in the basement of their home with lots of good food and many chili feeds after ice skating on the frozen lake when it would freeze. She loved taking organ lessons at the age of 75 and entertaining and playing for anyone who would listen.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Wes; her parents; a brother, Andrew; sisters, Catherine and Mary Jane; and an infant daughter.

Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara and Don Morse of Eagle, Betty and Olin Davis, and Donna and Jim Runge of Coeur d'Alene; eight grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; nieces, Jane Tomes of Post Falls, Billie Rae Able of Columbia, Mo., and Dorothy Streeter of Cheney, Wash.; and a nephew, Doug Dietz and wife, Linda of Spokane.

A special thank you to the staff at Sylvan House for the love and care they gave her and the family. Also, thank you to Hospice of North Idaho who gave care and concern in her final days.

The family prefers contributions to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99201 or Hospice of North Idaho (Hospice House Fund), 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011, at First Presbyterian Church, 521 Lakeside Ave., Coeur d'Alene, with a reception following. The family graveside service will be held at Forest Cemetery. Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene, is in care of the arrangements.

Please visit Henrietta's memorial and sign her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.